The Okanagan Open is a Pickleball Canada SANCTIONED TOURNAMENT

 

EYEWEAR

The Vernon Pickleball Association has a mandatory protective eyewear policy, protective eyewear must be worn by all players on court. Players not wearing protective eyewear will be removed from the tournament without a refund.

 

ELIGIBILITY

Players must be a Pickleball Canada member in good standing throughout the tournament.

 

AMATEUR EVENTS

Men's Doubles / Women’s Doubles / Mixed Doubles

Categories: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5

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OPEN EVENTS

Men's Doubles / Women’s Doubles / Mixed Doubles

Men's Singles/Women's Singles

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​TOURNAMENT FORMAT

 

Amateur Division

 

Events - Men's/Women's/ Mixed Doubles

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Age Groups
Players will register in their appropriate skill level. At the the time of registration there will be only one age group, i.e., ANY AGE. When registration closes the players will be broken into groups based on the age of teams signed up. The tournament committee will determine if the groups are split into 5 teams (or 6 or 7 teams) or 10 teams with 2 pools depending on the age of players signed up.

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If a higher skill level does not have 5 teams or a multiple of five teams and the next lower skill level has a wait list, then the highest rated team in the lower skill level will be asked if they wish to play up and a team from the wait list will be incorporated into the lower skill level

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Amateur Division Format(s)

• Round Robin in pools - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap.

• 1 group of 5:

  • Bronze medal game - 3rd vs 4th from RR - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap

  • Gold Medal Game - 1st vs 2nd from RR, best 2 out 3 to 11, win by 2, no cap

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• 1 group of 10 (2 pools):

  • Top 2 teams from each pool go to semi finals - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap

  • Bronze Medal Game - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap

  • Gold Medal Game - best 2 out 3 to 11, win by 2, no cap

 

• Every team will play at least 4 matches.

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Open Division

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Events

Men's/Women's/ Mixed Doubles

Men's Singles/ Women's Singles

 

Open Format

Double Knock Out

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Doubles 

• Winners side - best 2 out of 3 to 11, win by 2, no cap. Losers side - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap

• Gold medal match - best 2 out of 3 to 11, win by 2, no cap.  

• Bronze medal  match - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap

• To register in an Open doubles event, at least one player on a team must have a DUPR rating of 4.5 or higher.

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Singles 

• 1 game to 15 both winners and losers side

• Gold medal - best 2 out of 3 to 11, win by 2, no cap.  

• Bronze medal  match - 1 game to 15, win by 2, no cap

• To register in an Open singles event, a player must have a DUPR rating of 4.0 or higher. 

 

SCHEDULE

• Thursday October 15, 2026 - TBA

• Friday October 16, 2026 - TBA

• Saturday October 17, 2026 - TBA

• Sunday October 18, 2026 - TBA

 

• Events will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Check in will commence at 7:00 AM for the morning session.

• Opening ceremonies will commence at 7:35 AM

 

COURTS

12 permanent indoor fenced courts with outdoor acrylic surface

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EVENT ELIGIBILITY

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Amateur Division

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Skill Level: The skill level of players is determined by their DUPR rating. A player must have a DUPR account connected to their Pickleball.com profile.

 

In accordance with Pickleball Canada directive, a team of the same skill level may play up only 1 skill level (0.5).  For example,  a team with both players at the 3.5 level may register for 3.5 or 4.0.  However, a team with one player 3.5 and the other 4.0 can only play at 4.0. No player may play down from their skill level.

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AGE: An older player may play in a younger age group.  A younger player may not play in an older age group.  Age is determine as of December 31st, 2026

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Open Division 

To register in an Open doubles event, at least one player on a team must have a DUPR rating of 4.5 or higher.

To register in an Open singles event, a player must have a DUPR rating of 4.0 or higher. 

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DISCRETION

The Tournament Director reserves the right to:

• Review, and possibly alter the rating of players who self-rate below or above their actual rating.

• Move players and teams between skill level Tournaments if on verification the wrong event has been entered.

• Merge or split Tournaments based on event registration.

• Change start times

 

EQUIPMENT

• Paddles: must be USAP approved paddles

• Ball: The tournament ball is Franklin X-40

• Clothing: If a player is wearing clothing that is the same colour as the ball, s/he might be asked to change apparel by the Tournament Director.

 

OFFICIATING

• Plans are to have the majority of tournament games officiated. (To be confirmed)

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REFUND POLICY

Players who withdraw prior to the registration closure date will receive a refund less a $10 administration fee. No refund will be provided for cancellations after the registration closure date.